Slicing machine



C. T. ZIMMERMANN June 3, 1952 SLICING MACHINE 1o Sheets-sheet 1 Original Filed May 22, 1946 lun IIII'l-lllll .ATTQRNEY June 3, 1952 c. T. zlMMERMANN SLICING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 22, 1946 mw QN 7///f///////// F INVENTOR ATTO RN EY June 3, 1952 c. T. ZIMMERMANN SLICING MACHINE Original Filed May 22, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTO R N EY June 3, 1952 Y c. T. ZIMMERMANN 2,598,739

SLICING MACHINE Original Filed May 22, 1946 l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY June 3, 1952 c. T. ZIMMERMANN 2,598,739

SLICING MACHINE Original Filed May 22, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY June 3, 1952 c. T. ZIMMERMANN 2,598,739

sLIcING MACHINE original Filed May 22, 1946 1o sheets-sheet e ATTORNEY C. T. ZIMMERMANN June 3, 1952 SLICING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 Original Filed May 22, 1946 n-III! i ,v

June 3, 1952 c. T. ZIMMERMANN vSLICING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed May 22, 1946 ATTORNEY June 3, 1952 c. T. ZIMMERMANN 2,598,739

sLIcING MACHINE Original Filed May 22, 1946 10 Sheets-Shet 9 INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 3, 1952 c. T. ZIMMl-:RMANN SLICING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Original Filed May 22, 1946 Patented June 3, 1952 SLICING MACHINEy Carl T. Zimmermann, Old Greenwich, Conn.,V assignor to Globe Slicing Machine Co., Inc., Stamford, Conn., a corporation of New York Original application May 22, 1946, Serial No. 671,468. Dividedy and this application July-,` 1949, Serial No. 104,681

This invention relates to slicing machines in general and more especially to slicing machines of the gravity feed type in which the knife is disposed at an oblique angle to the vertical and the object holder, or chute, extends substantially Vertical to the plane oi the knife, and also at an oblique angle to the vertical to enable the article being cut automatically to descend' by its own weight due to gravity as a slice is being cut from the lower end thereof.

Among the objects of the present invention, it is aimed to provide an improved slicing machine of the gravity feed type in which the space under the knife is entirely free to accommodate a tray or the like for receiving the slices as vthey are being cut, and provided with an electric motor which is disposed at the lower end of the knife and to one side of the free space in an enclosed casing, with the bracket or hanger for `slidably snpporting the article chute disposed to the rear of the motor, that is, with the motor .disposed between the hanger and the lower end .of the knife.

More specically, the present invention aims to provide an improved slicing machine of the gravity feed type having an article holder. or meat holder which can be readily adjusted vor converted to support an article, such as .abologna, while being sliced at various .angles relative to the cutting plate, according tothe desire of the onsto2/ner.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved slicing machine of the gravity feed type in which the control for adjusting the position of the gauge plateis `disposed below the ha-ndle for manually reciprocating the article chute and preferably slightly to the left of the handle so -that the operator may with facility manipulate the gauge plate control with his left hand while engaging the handle `of the chute to reciprocaterit` with his Aright hand.

En the interest of assembly andrready repair, it is also an object of the present inventionto pro.- vide a slice adjustment unit as a :separable removable unit.

lt is still another object of the present .invention to provide an improved slicingmachine of the gravity feed type having a guard for the knife that is readily removable .without the use'of tools to enable the operator to cleanl the knife when.- ever desired.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved slicing machine ofthe gravity feed type having a guard for `the 4knife that is yieldable upon engagement .by the chute to enable large or wide pieces of meat to be out 2 Claims. (Cl. 146--102) 2. which may call for extendingy the pieces of meat to and beyond the far end of the knife.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improvedmachine of the character described having a re ,il'y'removable chute Without the use of tools or thellikaso that the attendant when it is desired to effect a particular slice, such as when .derinding bacon, rmay. with facility remove the chute and then again replace it and anchor it in operativeposition, all. Without the use of separate tools ,or the like.

It is still another object .of the present invention to provide an improved machine of the character described having an improved sharpening unit including a honing and grinding Wheel which may be brought intoengagement with the cutting edge of the knife when it is desired toy sharpen the same, including yieldable control means whereby the honing wheel Will engagethe.

knife .edge rst relative to the grinding whee] .and will leave it last so as to prevent the Aformation 4of burr-s and the like. Y

These and otherfeatures, capabilities vand advantages of the invention `will appear from the l subjoined detailed description of specic embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in 'which Fig. 1 is a perspectiveof the completed machine made according to one embodiment.

Fig. 2 is asectionon the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. ,3 is an enlarged rear elevation with parts vbroken away and shown in section on the line 3*-13 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation partly in section on the Yline df-slof Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a. plan view with a part broken awa on the scale shown in Fig, 3.

Fig. 6 is a, section on the line S-ii'of Fig. 3. Fig. '7 is a section on the line rl-l'of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a fragmental View partly in sectionon the line SW-B piling'. 4.

Fig. '9 isa section on ythe line 9 9 -of Eig. 4.

Fig. 10' is asection on the line yill-[tipi Fig. 8.

Fig. 17 is a section on the line I'I-I of Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a modification of the unit shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged fragmental section on the line I9-I 9 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a fragmental plan view partly in section of the knife assembly showing a modification of the knife guard relative to the knife guard shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmental end elevation of the modification shown in Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a fragmental section on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21. A

Fig. 23 is a fragmental section on the line 23-23 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged fragmental view of the sharpening unit moved into position forY engaging the cutting edge of the knife, but before engaging the cutting edge of the knife.

Fig. 25 is a section in part on the line 2- of Fig. 1 showing the means for adjusting the sharpening unit as the cutting edgerof the knife wears.

Fig. 26 is a section on the line 26-25 of Fig. 12

with the honing and grinding wheels in contact with the cutting edge of the blade. Fig. 27 is a fragmental section similar to that shown in Fig. 26, but with the grinding wheel clear of the cutting edge of the knife while the honing wheel is still in engagement with the cutting edge of the knife.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 17, inclusive, there is Yillustrated a main housing I, a platform 2, a knife supporting frame 3 for the knife 4, a supporting bracket for the gauge plate 6, a hanger 'I for the substance or meat carryingchute 8, anda frame 9 for theV motor I0.

In the interest of assembly and repair of these several main parts, they all are associated with the mainA housing I as separable removable units Vand therefore will be described in the order named Knife Guard.

Housing and Platform The housing I consists essentially of a rear vertical wallV II, a short front vertical wall I2, a rearwardly inclined front wall I3 continuing upwardly from the front wall I2 and merging into the rounded upper wall portion I4 which in turn merges into the vertical rearV wall II. These walls II, I2, I3 and I4 in the present instance, merge in the end walls I5. At the four inner corners of the housing in the present instance are provided the bosses IB, preferably to receive suitable cushioned plugs composed of rubber or the like, such as the plugs II. The platform 2 preferably has a flange I3 extending down from its ends and front, and a downwardly extending flange I9 near its rear edge to receive screws 20 connecting the flange I9 to the lower end of the front wall I2. Preferably the front wall I2 has a recess or opening 2| therein to receive the rear free end 22 of the platform 2.

The housing I is preferably open at'the bottom as shown in Fig. 2 to afford access to the interior of the housing I and is also provided with three openings formed in the inclined wall I3,

one opening 23 tothe left hand of the wall I3 to form a clearance for the belt 24 drivingly connected to the motor I0, a second opening 25, see Fig. 8, to accommodate the arm 26 of the gauge plate 6 to the right of the opening 23, and an extended opening 21 above the openings 23 and 25 to clear the arm 28 of the hanger 'i'. Adjacent the inner face of the lower end of the rear wall II, there is fixed the lower guide rod 29 and slightly forward of the guide rod 29 and adjacent the inner face of the rounded wall portion I4 there is fixed the upper guide rod 33. The guide rods 29 and 39 are secured in the end walls I5 as shown in Fig. 2.

Knife ami Associated Parts The frame 3 has a flange 3l extending inwardly and upwardly from the front wall 32 of the frameV 3 and is secured by screws or the like through the lower end of the inclined wall I3 with the frame 3 surrounding the opening 23. The front wall 32 of the frame 3 merges into the end walls 33 of the frame 3 and into the diminished neck portion 34 at the outer end of the frame 3. Preferably the wall 32 extends at an angle of about 45 to the vertical and is provided with a boss 35 to receive the sleeve 36 which is locked in the boss 35 by the locknut 31. On the sleeve 36 are mounted the roller bearings 38 which are clamped by the jam nut 39 against the shoulder 49 on the sleeve 35. The pulley 44 is rotatably mounted on the roller bearings 33. The plate 43 which fits into the recess of the knife 4 has screw threadedly connected thereto the end of the pin 4I which passes through the sleeve 36, and by means of the nut 42 is locked in its position. In view of the foregoing, in order to remove the knife for replacement or the like, it is only necessary to remove the nut 42 when the pin secured to the plate 43 is free to be withdrawn. Thereupon the screws connecting the blade 4 to the pulley 44 may be removed in the usual way. The pulley 44 is connected by the belt 24 to the pulley 45 on the free end 4S of the shaft 220 of the reduction gearing hereinafter to be described.

Below the knife 4 and in order to protect the belt 24 from particles of food being cut from the knife and dirt, there is provided the plate 47 which engages the upper edge of the flange 3|, the upper edges of the end walls 33 and the upper face of the neck 34, and in turn is in slidable engagement with the inner periphery of the recess between the annular shoulder 43 and the lower face of the knife 4. The pulley 44 in turn is rotatably mounted by means of the roller bearing units 49 on the sleeve 33.

The neck 34 has a lateral extension 50 provided with a recess 5I to receive the pin 52 provided at one end with a head 53 engaging the upper face of the guard 54 and provided with a clamping nut 55 screw threadedly connected to the other end of the pin 52 to engage the lower face of the extension 59, the arm 56 of the combination guard and casing 51 being disposed between the bifurcated end 58 of the guard 54. The guard 54, see Figs. 1, 3 and 5, extends around and covers about one-half of the cutting edge of the knife 4. It is secured in place against the upper end of the inclined wall I3 by the spring pressed projection 59, see Fig. 1l, mounted on the lever 60 pivoted at 6I to the guard 54 and provided with a spring E2 normally urging the projection 59 outwardly so that when the guard 54 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 11, the projection 59 will enter the recess 63 in the wall I 3 when the pin 52 enters the recess 5I in the extension 5I) of the neck 34.

When it is desiredto remove the guard 54, see Fig. 11, it is only necessary to ex the arm El) upward to cause the projection 59 to clear the recess 63 and to loosen the nut 55' when the guard54 can be removed. The dash and dot line position of the guard 54 in Fig. 11 is merely indicative of its removability from the knife 4. The guard 54 as shown in Fig. 11 is provided with an opening 64 through which the end of. the lever 6|] extends to enablev the operator to actuate the same.

The casing 51, see Figs. 1, 3 andv 5, includes a knife guard portion 65 and a cover 66 for the sharpening unit 61, see Figs. 24 to 27, inclusive. The sharpening unit 61, see Figs. 2A and 25, has a base 69 provided with a stud 69 which is` positioned in the opening 10 in the neck 34 of the casing 33, and is` secured in position by the set screw 1|. The distance of the base 08 from the neck 34 will depend upon the wear Yon the cutting edge of the knife 4. In other words, when the knife isnew, the distance. will be the greatest. This base or block |58 has two tapered recesses 12 and 13 to receive the tapered endY 14 'on the end of the pin 15, slidably mountedY in the plug 16, rotatably mounted in the housing 11 which is fulcrumed to the base G8 at 84'. In the housing 11Y is mounted the gear 13` secured to the extension 19 of the plug 19, which gear 13'in turn is positioned by the ring 09 pinned to the housing 11. The plug 19', gear 18 and housing 11, have alinedopenings to slidably receive the enlarged end of the pin portion 14 and also to receive the spring 8| tensed between the 'end` of the pin portion 14 and the shoulder 82 to cause the tapered endl 1.4 to project either into the opening 12k or 13 when alined with the same. For disengaging the positioning pin 14 from either the recess 12 or the recess 13, there is provided the knob 83, which is pinned to the outer end of the pin 15. The tapered openingsv 12 and 13 cooperate with the tapered pin 14 to insure that the unit will not vibrate when the pin 14 engageseither recess as now to be described. The recessesv 12 and 13 determine the two positions of the sharpeningv unit 91. When the pin end 14 is positioned in the recess 12, then the sharpening unit 'willvbe out of sharpening position, to wit, that shown inr Fig. 4. On the other hand, when the pin end 14 engages the recess 13 the sharpening unit '613 will-bein sharpening position, that shown `in Fig- 1.2 and Figs. 24 to 27, inclusive. For maintaining the gear 'f8 in normal inoperativeposition, the spring 85 is provided secured at one-end to the plug- 1-6 and at the-otherendto thefcyli-ndrical` portion 11. In order to actuate thegear-TB -i-nto operative position of the sharpening unit, the' handle 86 is formed on the plug 16 lley-means `of whichhandle 85 the plug 16 is turnedrelative to thecylindrical portion 11 against the tension of'the spring-85 to move the gear 18 into wheel engagingjposition of the sharpening unit |51. The sharpening unit will only be maintained in wheel engaging position while `the handle 89 isswung over against. the tension of the spring 8.5- Awhere the Vsharpening wheels now to be described'will engagejthe cutting edge of the knife 4'and'themoment that the pressure on the handlej is `released,ftlfre.v handle will return to normal inactive position, turing the gear 1&3V with it, and inturnremoving the sharpening wheels from the cutting edge of the knife 4. There are in the present instance, provided two sharpening wheels similar to the sharpening unit disclosed in United. States LettersrPatent No. 2,069,431 issued February 2, 1937, to John J. Waage. The left Asharpening wheel '81. functioning as a 'honing wheel in thefpresentfinstance is preferably composed 'of 'a suitable oil stone and is mounted on the shaft 88 which is turnis slidably mounted in the cylindrical portion 89 having teeth 90 thereon in engagementwith the teeth of the gear 18. The cylindrical portion 89 is chambered at one end to receive the spring 9| tensed between the head of the screw 92 on the shaft 88 and the ball bearing unit 93 at the inner end of the chamber, by means of Which spring 9| the shoulder 94 is normally spaced from the bushing 95 where the honing Wheel 81 will clear the cutting edge of the knife 4 in the position shown in Fig. 24 when the handle 86 is free and positioned by the spring 85. Preferably between the enlarged end of the bushing 95 and the free endof the chambered portion 89, there is provided vthe nut 98 to facilitate locking the bushing 95 in position and thereby determining the normal position of the honing wheel 81 according to the wear on the cutting edge of the knife 4, when the handle 8S is positioned by the spring 85.

The cylindrical portion 11 is provided with a chambered extension 91 to receive the cylindrical portion 89. This portion 11 also has a chambered extension 98 to receive the cylindrical portion 99 having teeth I to mesh with the teeth of the gear 18. The cylindrical portion 99 receives the shank |0I having an enlarged head |02 terminating in a threaded portion |03 for the nut |04. Between the nut |04 and the grinding wheel |95 is disposed the washer |06, the grinding wheel |05 being disposed between the washer |99 and the enlarged head |02 of the shank |0I. The shank IDI has an annular recess |01 to receive the projection |08 at the end of the screw |09, screw threadedly secured in the cylindrical portion 99 and determining the axial movement of the shank IOI relative to the cylindrical portion 99. The shank |0| is also chambered to receiveV the ball I I0 resilientlymaintained at the end of the chamber II in the shank I0| by the spr-ing II2 tensed between the ball I I0 and the nut I I3Y screw threadedly connected at the end of the central chamber of the cylindrical portion 99. There is also interposed between the ball |-I0 and the nut I I3 a rod 244 long-enough to causea positive engagement of the` wheel |05 againstthe knife 4 after the wheel 81 has engaged the knife 4. As shown in Fig. 26, the gear 18 has been rotated in a counter-clockwise direction in order to move the wheel 81 downwardly into spring pressed oontact with the-knife 4 against the tension of the spring 9 I. As soon as this contact has been established the clearance between the pin 244 Aand the ball I I0 will have been taken up so that upon further rotated movement of the gear 10 the grinding wheel |05 will be positively brought into engagement with the knife 4; During this latter rotative movement, the spring 9| ofthe 4honing wheel 81 will b'efurthercompressed.

When reversing the direction of rotation of the gear 18 into the position shown in Fig. 27, the downward movement of the cylindrical portion 99 will cause a clearance between the pin 244and-the ball H0 without freeing the grinding wheel P35 from the knife 4. In 4otherwordsthe grinding wheel |95 will continue in contactV withthe knife 4 until the pin |08 engages the lower yend 'of the recess |01 at which time .the cylindricalv portion 99`wi1l have pulled lthe grinding wheel |95 positively away from the knife 4 while the honing wheel 81. is still in contact due to the spring 9|. Finally when the shoulder 94 engages the bushing 95 the honing wheel 81 willclear'the knife '4; In, other words, when the handle 89 is released and'its position determined by the spring'85',`bo'th Y der 94 and the washer ||6.

7 the honing wheel .81 and the grinding wheel will clear the cutting edge of the knife 4. The adjustment of the clearance between the shoulder 94 and bushing 95 by manipulation of the bushing 95 will determine the position of the honing wheel 81 and grinding wheel |85 relative tothe knife 4 when the handle is turned, see Fig. 24, in a counter-clockwise direction. By means of this adjustment as is desired the honing wheel 81 may with facility be caused rst to engage the cutting l edge of the knife 4, followed by the engagement of the cutting edge of the knife 4 by the grinding wheel |95, and in turn when the handle is released, the grinding wheel |05 will clear the cutting edge of the knife 4 before the honing wheel 81 clears the cutting edge of the knife 4 to prevent the formation of burrs.

This sharpening unit is primarily distinguished by the adjustment of the bushing 95. By means of the bushing 95 and the locknut 96, the distance between the shoulder 94 and bushing 95 can be quickly adjusted to accommodate wear on the cutting edge of the knife 4 without the use of any tools or the like.

'I'he honing wheel 81 in the present instance is mounted on the threaded end ||4 of the shank 88 which has a nut ||5 and a washer H6, the washer being disposed between the nut H5 and the honing wheel 81, and the honing wheel 81 in turn being disposed 'between the enlarged shoul- In the present instance, the screw 92 is screw threadedly connected to the free end of the shank 88.

Gauge Plate andV Control Means The gauge plate 6, see Figs. 4, 8, 9 and 10, is secured by the bolt ||1 to the arm 26 which extends through the opening 25. The gauge plate preferably has an angle plate ||8 extending upwardly from the gauge plate 6 and rearwardly to cover the arm 26. This angle plate I I8 preferably extends the full width of the gauge plate 6, see Fig. 8, and is rounded at its ends merging into the upper face of the plate 6. The plate 6 preferably has an elongated recess |9 to receive the projection of the arm 26 to guide the plate 6 and to be adjusted laterally relative to the arm 26. The bolt ||1 extends through an elongated slot 2|1 in the gauge plate 6 and is screw threadedly connected to the arm 26. 'I'he arm 26 also has a stop screw |2| extending therethrough with its head end cooperating with the upper edge of the opening as a stop to determine the uppermost position of the arm 26 and therewith of the plate 6.

The arm 26 is provided with a boss |22 secured on the rod |23 which is slidably mounted in the bearings |24 and |25 of the frame |26. This frame or bracket has in the present instance screw receiving openings at its corners to receive the screws |21 extending through the inclined front wall I3 into the corners of the frame |26. By means of these screws |21, the frame |26 with the arm 26 and parts now to be described, can be removed as a unit after the gauge plate 6 has been removed from the arm 26 by withdrawing the bolt II1.

The boss |22 is provided with an arm |28 bifurcated at its ends, see Fig. 8, slidably to receive the guide plate |29 fastened to a raised portion |30 extending from the frame |26. The boss |22 is also provided with an extension I3| having a pin |32 to receive the bifurcated end |33 of the lever |34 journalled on the pin |35. The pin |35 is mounted in the bracket 245 which has an ec- 8 centric portion 246 journalled in the extension |36 formed on the bracket |26. The lever |34 has a mutilated worm wheel |31 in mesh with the worm |38 on the shaft |39 journalled in the bearings |40 and |4I, the bearing |40 being formed on the frame |26 and the bearing |4| being mounted on the sleeve |42 Aformed on the frame |26. The shaft |39 has secured on the end of it the Vcontrol knob |43, the control knob |43 having a sleeve |44 which is pinned to the shaft |39. The control knob |43 preferably has an inclined graduated dial |45 cooperating with the pointer |46 formed on the end wall |5, the sleeve |44 being positioned in the opening |41 and the dial'I45 preferably having a greater diameter than the opening |41 in the interest of design. The axis of the pin |35constitutes the pivotal center of the lever |34. This pin |35 extends through the bifurcation of the bracket 245 and through the lever |34, being pinned to the lever |34 by the tapered pin 25|. The bracket 245 has an eccentric sleeve 246 adjustably mounted in the extension |36. After adjustment has been effected, the bracketl 245 is anchored against movement relative to the extension |36 by the screw 241 screw threadedly connected to the inner face of the sleeve 246 and drawing the bracket 245 tightly against the extension |36.

The eccentric sleeve 246 is provided primarily to facilitate accurately meshing the teeth of the worm wheel |31 with the teeth of the worm |38. In order to effect this adjustment, the screw 241 is initially turned to loosen the bracket 245 whereupon the head 248 of the bracket 245 is turned to move the center of rotation of the lever |34 to or from the axis of the shaft |39.

Chute and Hanger The hanger 1 shown in section in Fig. 4 mounted on theguide rods 29 and 30 consists essentially of a bracket |48 having a sleeve'l 49 slidably mounted on the guide rod 30, two diverging webs |50 terminating in the enlargement |5| in which is screw threadedly secured the pin |52 which is slidably mounted in the extension |53 on the sleeve |54 slidably mounted on the guide rod 29. The arm 28, see Figs. 4 and 7, extends forwardly and upwardly from the sleeve |49 and has screw threadedly secured thereto the post |55 to slidably receive the extension |'56 of the chute. This extension preferably has a pin |51, see Fig. 7, which fits in the recess |58 in the arm 23 to aline the chute. The extension |56, see Figs. 1 and 3, has a slot |59 therein in communication with the opening |60 for receiving the pin |55. Through this extension |56 extends the rod |6| having a lever |62 on theouter end thereof and a shoulder |63 engaging the outer face of the extension |56. The inner end of the rod |6| is screw threadedly connected to the portion |64 of the extension |56 so that when the lever |62 is turned it will cause the two portions of the extension |56 to either side of the slot |59 acting as jaws to approach one another and securely engage the pin |55. Here again, without the use of tools but merely by the movement of the lever |62 the chute can be removed since the chute now to be explained is formed on the exf tension I 56.

The extension |56 in the present instance is formed on the rear of the substance carrying plane of the knife 4 and its lower edge ordinarily is disposed fairly close to the cutting edge of the knife 4. In order to adjust the distance of the lower edge of the plate|65 to the knife 4, the pin |51 through its screw threaded end |66 may be adjusted, that it, the pin may be caused to extend a greater or less distance from the extension |56.

In the present instance, the extension |56 has extending therefrom the arm |61 on which is formed the handle |68 for engagement -by the operator to move the chute to and from the cutting edge of the knife. On one end of the plate |65 there is preferably hingedly supported the end Weight |69 such as disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,085,519. This end weight |69 preferably has an arm |19 having a sleeve |1| slidably mounted on the rod |12 secured in the enlargements |13 and |16 at the upper and lower ends of the free end of the plate |65. Preferably the end weight |69 has a handle |15 extending therefrom in order to lift the end weight |69 and swing it either to the front of the plate |65 into engagement with the substance to be sliced, or rearward into position shown in Fig. 3 Where it is resiliently anchored, see Fig. 17, by engagement of the cup |16 'with the spring pressed ball |11 anchored in the extension |56.

The lower face of the end weight |69- preferably has pins or projections |18 formed thereon to engage the substance to be cut.

The plate |69 is locked by the spring pressed ball |11 cooperating with the cup |16 due to the tension in the spring |19 mounted on the rod |12 and exercising a downward pressure on the sleeve |1| when the arm |10 is moved upwardly against the sleeve |13 to clear the plate |99 extending rearward from the side edge of the plate |65. The spring |19 also acts as a snubber or cushion to take up the shock when the arm |16 is moved upwardly into position shown in Fig. 15.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 15 and 16, the plate |65 constitutes one wing of the chute, and the plate |8| constitutes the other wing which in this embodiment is movable relative to the plate |65. Although the plate |3| is substantially vertical to the plate |65 at all times, and the plate |65 is substantially vertical to the plane of the knife at all times, the plate |3|, see Figs. 3 and 15, is pivotally mounted on the pin |82 so that it can be swung from a position at right angles to the plane of the blade to an inclined position forming an angle of about 60 with the plane of the knife 4. When the plate |8| is tilted, see Fig. l5, it is particularly adapted for slicing small articles of food, such as bologna and the like at an angle to the axis of the bologna in accordance with the practice. In Fig. the dash and dot line |63 is there illustrative of the outline of a piece of bologna, when supported by the plates |65 and |8| and when the plate |8| is inclined relative to the plane of the knife 4. This pivot pin |82 in the present instance is positioned about one-third of the height of the plate |65 from its upper outer free end. When so positioned, the lower end of the plate |8| will clear the gauge plate 6, but eiiectively cooperate with the plate |65 to support'the piece of bologna |83 at the desired inclination to engage the cutting edge of the knife 4. The upper end of the plate |8| may have a flange |84 extending at right angles thereto and in alinement with the rear face of the plate |65. This flange |84 will cooperate with the plate |8| properly to support the substances being cut when the plate |8| is swung into the inclined position as shown in Fig. 15.

Preferably to protect the hand of the operator, when the plate |6| is tilted as aforesaid, the lower end of the plate |8| is provided with a nger piece so that when the attendant is operating the machine he may with his right hand engage the plate |8| to move the chute to and from the cutting edge of the knife -4 and position the thumb of his right hand in the vfinger piece |85 to leave free the other four fingers of his right hand to engage the substance being cut, such as the bologna |63. In this way, the nger piece |35 serves as a guide to the operator so that he will not bring his fingers down low enough to touch the cutting edge of the knife 4.

Above the finger piece |85 in the present instance, there is formed an enlargement or boss |86, see Fig. 16, in which is slidably mounted the pin |61 extending from one end of the enlargement |66, as shown in Fig. 16 and engaging the spring |98 at its other end, which spring |86 is disposed in the opening |69 between the inner end of the pin |61 and the closure |96 to exercise a yieldable urge on the pin |81 in a downward direction. To the pin |81 there is secured the projection |9| which extends outward through the cammed slot |92, see Figs. 1 and e. The pin |31 when extended may enter either the recess |93, Fig. 15, or the recess |94, Fig. 5. When the pin |81 is disposed in the recess 93, it will be locked in the position shown in Fig. 5, and in turn when it is disposed in the opening |94 it will be locked in the position shown in Fig. 15. The cam slot |92 enables the projection |9| by a rotating motion to move the pin |81 into and out of extended position against the tension of the spring |86.

While the position of the pin |92 of the plate |9| has certain advantages, obviously this pivot pin may be disposed nearer to the gauge plate 6 when the lower end of the plate |3| will not be spaced from the gauge plate 6 as far as it is in the present instance when swung into the inclined position shown in Fig. 15. Still furthermore, the distance that the pin |62 may be spaced from the gauge plate 6 may be varied without departing from the general spirit of the invention.

` Obviously other modifications of the plates |65 and |8| may be made to enable the attendant quickly to convert the chute for cutting articles of food, such as bologna, without departing from the general spirit of the invention. As an instance, in Figs. 18 and 19 the modification there shown includes a short plate 269, having secured thereto the corrugated plate sections |65 and |66 which form a dihedral angle with one another. The plate 249 has an extension |91 adjacent the gauge plate 6 which is pivotally connected by the pin |98 to the extension |99 of the plate 298, the plate 260 in this embodiment being removably secured to the arm 28 and the chute 20| including the plate 249 and corrugated plate sections |95 and |96 being pivotally connected to this plate 299, with the section |96 parallel to and slidably mounted across the upper face of the plate 266,

and the section |95 secured to the plate 249 as a facing plate for the plate 249 and substantially perpendicular to the section |96. In order to anchor the chute 26| either in the inclined position shown in Fig. 18, or in the vertical position where it alines with the plate 269, there is provided a boss or enlargement 262, see Fig. 19, extending from the rear face of the plate 249 which is chambered to receive the pin 263 adapted to extend from one end of the boss 262 and in engagement with the spring 264 at its inner end,

Y 11 which spring 204 is mounted in the chamber 205 in the boss 202 between the inner end of the pin 203 and the closure pin 206. The pin 203 has a projection 201 formed thereon and extending outwardly through the cam slot 208 similar to the cam slot |92 shown in Fig. 1. In the arm 209 extending fromv the plate 200, see Fig. 19, there are formed two openings 2 I 0 and 2 I I. When the pin 203 engages the outer recess 2I0, the chute 20| including both the plate sections |95 and |96 l vwill be inclined to the gauge plate 6 so that the Y into position where its two plate sections |95 and |96 are vertical to the gauge plate 6 and in such position the pin 293 will engage the opening 2| I.

Motor and Supporting Frame The frame 9, motor I9 and associated parts now VVto be described also constitute a removable unit which can be removed from the housing I for repair or the like without aiecting any of the other parts except to disconnect the belt 24 from the pulley 45. The motor |0, shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, is mounted upon a frame including the cross-plate 2|3 provided withY anges 2I4 secured to the front wall I2 and rear wall I I by suitable screws as shown in Fig. 2. To one side of the motor I and secured tothe motor housing, there is provided the housing 2 I 5 for reduction gearing. The motor I0, as an instance, has a Vshaft 2|@ having a yworm 2|8 thereof in mesh with the worm wheel 2|9 on the shaft 220 journalled in the housing 2I5 with the pulley 45 mounted on the extending free end 46 of the shaft 220, the pulley 45 being connected as aforesaid by the belt 24 to the pulley 44. When it is desired to remove the motor I0, it is only necessary to release the belt 24 from the pulley 45 and then either to remove the screws connecting the flanges 2 I4 of the plate 2I3 to the vertical Walls II and I2 of the housing I, or else to remove the nuts connecting the base 22| to the plate 2 I 3.

Modification of Knife Guard hingedly connected to the main frame 224 on the pin 221 in the same way that the housing 66 of the first embodiment is pivotally connected to the pin 52. In this instance, however, the movable portion 223 is also pivotally connected to the pin 221, and see Fig. 21, is disposed above the arm 228 of the housing 226. The movable portion 223 has a boss 229, in section in Fig. 23 and in plan in Fig. 20, which has a spring pressed projection 230 l mountedtherein to be engaged by the projection 23| on the chute 232. The projection 23| on the chute 232 is mounted at the free edge of the main plate of the chute so that when the chute 232 moves over the knife 225 and the projection 23| i strikes the projection 230, it will initially com- Y 12 press the spring 233 of the projection 239 and then swing the movable guard portion 2,23 into the dash and dot line position shown in Fig. 20. In this way, a longer slice can be cut. Preferably, see Fig. 22, the movable section 223 is provided with a spring 23-4 coiled around the pin 221 with one end secured in the lower fixed portion 235 of the frame 224 and its arm 236 resting against the outer face of the movable section 223.

To facilitate lubricating the rods and 29 for the hanger 1, an opening 231 is formed in the rounded portion I4 of thehousing I, see Figs. 3 and 4, and consequently when the hanger 'I is positioned beneath the opening 23'! oil may be poured through the opening onto the hanger I,

the oil passing from the web 238 through theY openings 239 to the rod 30 and then to the opening 240 to the wick 24| and from the wick 24| to the recess 242 above the opening 243 in the sleeve |52 and then to the rod 29.

Preferably also in the interest of manipulation by one and the same attendant, the switch 250 for the motor I0 is mounted in the right hand end wall I5 to the right of the control knob |43 so that the attendant Yrriay'with his left hand actuate the control knob |43 and with his right hand first manipulate the switch 250 and then bring his right hand up to the handle |68 to actuate the substance carrier 8.

It has been found that an extremely compact machine can be produced when the plane of the knife and its associate parts forms an angle approximating 45 to the vertical.

It has also been found that, when the plate forms an angle of approximately 30 to the inclined wall I3, as the substance carrier 8 is moved across the knife 4, it will cooperate with the cutting edge of the knife to enable the cutting edge to press the meat between the plate |65 and therefore enhance the cutting effect of the cutting edge of the knife Il.V

It is obvious that various changes and modications may be made to the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 671,468 filed May 22, 1946, and which became Patent No. 2,538,073 on January 16, 1951.

Further subject matter disclosed but not claimed in this application may be found in application Serial No.`104,682 filed July 6, 1949.

I claim:

l. A guard frame for the rotatable knife disposed at an angle to the vertical of a slicing machine having a main frame, a gauge plate substantially parallel to said knife mounted on said frame adjacent to the knife, a substance carrier slidably mounted on said main frame to move across said gauge plate to and from the knife, characterized by a main guard frame having an outer free end and a fixed channel portion surrounding the inner part of the cutting edge of the knife and spaced from the substance carrier whenthe carrier is out of cutting range, a movable channel portion pivotally connected to said outer free end of said main guard frame at a point spaced from said xed channel portion and supplementing said xd channel portion to surround a second part of the cutting edge of the knife intermediate said free end and said fixed channel portion, an abutment at the free end-of said movable channel portion in the path of movement of the substance carrier to enable the to be deflected outwardly when the abutment on 10 said movable channel portion is engaged by the substance carrier.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 having a third channel portion also pivotally connected to the outer free end of the main guard 1 frame and supplementing said fixed and movable channel portions to surround substantially a 240 arc of the cutting edge of the knife at any one time when al1 channel portions are in guarding position.

CARL T. ZIMMERMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,008,822 Freudenberg July 23, 1935 2,402,520 Wood June 18, 1946 2,404,557 Wood July 23, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS o Number Country Date 390,631 Germany Feb. 22, 1924 593,592 Great Britain Oct. 21, 1947 

